Putin refuses dialogue with Opposition, states he's against extremism

December 28, 2011, 15:41 UTC+3The prime minister also said he had not asked former Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin to attend the December 24 rally

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MOSCOW, December 28 (Itar-Tass) — Prime Minister Vladimir Putin stated on Wednesday he does not intend to conduct dialogue with the Opposition, which demands his resignation and revision of the parliamentary election results.

"The Opposition that gathered for a rally in Moscow’s Sakharov Avenue on December 24 has no common platform; there is nobody there to talk to," Putin said, adding that earlier, he had always talked with the Opposition.

The prime minister also said he had not asked former Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin to attend the December 24 rally.

"I did not send him there; he went there of his own accord; he's a big boy," Putin said.

He acknowledged that sometimes he wished to join a rally. "When I see what is happening, with my acquaintances and relatives telling me how they communicate with officials, I sometimes want to [take part in a rally]."

Putin underlined he had never been opposed to dialogue with the Opposition, but that he had been against one thing – manifestation of extremism.